Episcopal Relief and Development commemorates International Women’s Day 2008, on Saturday, March 8. As women and their children make up the vast majority of the world’s one billion people living in poverty, Episcopal Relief and Development is especially committed to working to achieve Millennium Development Goal 3 –promote gender equality and empower women.
By implementing innovative programs around the world that address basic needs by promoting health, fighting disease and creating economic opportunities, Episcopal Relief and Development’s programs directly benefit women and their families.
The encompassing poverty that shackles the lives of poor women comes in many forms. For Elena, an indigenous Aymaran mother of three in the Puno region of Peru, poverty meant living on less than $1 per day and struggling to care for her family without the help of her husband, who suffers from alcoholism. Elena sold food to support the family, but had to spend much of her earnings renting a boat to reach her customers. The family could barely make ends meet and did not have money for the children to attend school.
When Elena learned about a micro-finance program sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development, her journey of transformation began. The Ecumenical Church Loan Fund is supported by ERD’s partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Peru. Together with other borrowers in her community, Elena formed a community bank and was given a small loan that enabled her to purchase her own rowboat. Immediately her profits increased and not only has Elena repaid her loan and expanded her business, but her children are now attending school.
“When women are empowered to make informed decisions about health, education and nutrition in the household, whole economies are uplifted,” said Abagail Nelson, Vice President for Programs at Episcopal Relief and Development.
To help make the world a better place for women and their children please make a contribution to Episcopal Relief and Development, online at http://www.er-d.org/ , or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development ,P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
